Rabbit hutches as chicken coops?

[3KillerBs]

OUCH.

Have you considered setting up a Hoop coop on a temporary basis??? Inexpensive, roomy, the arc is good for snow loads - if you only need a season out of it, a tarp will do for the roof, offering a covered run. They are pretty quick to build, too.

Suppliment the sides with hardware cloth to keep your birds in, and the foxes out. Point the back wall at the prevailing winter winds, partially wall two sides (or tarp), and you are about there. Or build a pony wall inside your barn (if you have the space) to partition them off, a door to the outside thru the barn wall, and a covered (or at least netted) run.

This is a much better option than prefabs of any type.

Here are some articles on hoop coops:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-tractor.69336/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-coop-brooder-with-roll-up-sides.75720/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-biddie-bordello-a-hoop-coop-run-combo.72189/reviews
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/reviews

 

[sera phine]

I have 2 rabbit hutches and my 6 misc chickens free range all day and go into the hutches at sundown. I lock them in at night... they move around between the two. Most times it's 3 and 3 but sometimes 4 and 2. I'm in so calif so in winter all 6 roost in the larger of the hutches.

 

[Borders3]

What size are they in now? I'm guessing these would be preferable to what they are in at present but not ideal. This one is better than the others you posted and I would go bigger.

bigger than the cages they are in now. Can also get something like this: https://www.petsmart.com/small-pet/...-products-outdoor-run-rabbit-hutch-21855.html or bigger

How long were you intending to keep them in these cages and when will you be moving? If it is only a temporary thing it would be better for the chickens than what they are in now but it should not be a long term thing. Chickens need space and lots of it.

 

[Featherss]

What size are they in now? I'm guessing these would be preferable to what they are in at present but not ideal. This one is better than the others you posted and I would go bigger.

How long were you intending to keep them in these cages and when will you be moving? If it is only a temporary thing it would be better for the chickens than what they are in now but it should not be a long term thing. Chickens need space and lots of it.

I can't remember the measurements, but small cages in our barn. I'd keep them in it from now until it starts getting cold, I'm moving as soon as our farm sells and we can find another to buy.

 

[Borders3]

I can't remember the measurements, but small cages in our barn. I'd keep them in it from now until it starts getting cold, I'm moving as soon as our farm sells and we can find another to buy.

Seeing as you don't have the time to make something bigger, such as the hoop coop and run, then I would buy two of the larger ones and have each pair in their own set up. As you are aware it could take some time to sell your place and then find another to buy so potentially it could be quite awhile and they will need as much space as possible.

 

[paloozaparty]

bigger than the cages they are in now. Can also get something like this: https://www.petsmart.com/small-pet/...-products-outdoor-run-rabbit-hutch-21855.html or bigger

I've been through THREE of these types of "hutches"--and, also tried to upcycle our bunny hutch--especially for our chicks after we hatched them. THAT was the ONLY good that any of these types do--of hutches that you link to and bunny hutches--they do NOT work, they are NOT good in un-protected environments (they do NOT weather well) and they are NOT sturdy enough (doors don't always lock or even close all the way, and would take a skunk about 2 seconds to pry the flimsy latched door away and get in our even tip over the entire hutch... They may work great as an inside (home or garage) for like a quarantine for one chicken, and again, for chicks when they're about 8 weeks old until they're about 6 months, maybe--depending on breed... We even upcycled a metal swing set--our 5 initial chickens grew out of that by 1 year old... and, we finally bought and installed a very inexpensive metal shed--which STILL isn't fully customized to our needs (by us--any day now, though) and it still sin't the best--it's square... and, we have 6 hens now. They ALL pile on top of each other into only ONE of the nesting boxes to lay, and they PILE on top of each other to sleep--vs. use the 7 nesting boxes and 10' of perch wood! OMG In addition, I've easily spent $1000 in materials--whereas, I was like "hell no--I ain't paying anyone $750 to custom build me a coop"--AHHHH REGRETS--I suggest that if you have more than 3 hens, that you invest in working with someone to custom build you a coop--someone who knows what you'd need and can customize to your flock.